Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Academicians Zhang and Yan from Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China, have recently published a pivotal study in Scientific Reports examining the cancer risk associated with endometriosis. Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting approximately 6–10% of women worldwide, significantly diminishes quality of life…

Key Points Lay Summary

An observational study on predicting endometriosis recurrence risk.

An observational study on predicting endometriosis recurrence risk. By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis presents in various ways, and improper management can lead to recurrence. Studies show that the recurrence rate can range from 6% to 67%. Factors that may increase this risk include having severe or deep forms of the disease, being…

Key Points Lay Summary

Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo

Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo By Özge Özkaya

Pregnant women with endometriosis have a higher risk of having a premature baby and other poor pregnancy outcomes compared to those without the disease, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. This finding highlights the…

Key Points Lay Summary

Vitamin D Levels Associated With Endometriosis Risk

Vitamin D Levels Associated With Endometriosis Risk By Özge Özkaya

Endometriosis is inversely correlated with the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the serum, according to a new study published in the scientific journal PLoS One. However, more research is necessary to establish a causal link between the disease and vitamin…

Key Points Lay Summary

Neonatal uterine bleeding at birth and endometriosis later in life

Neonatal uterine bleeding at birth and endometriosis later in life By Selma Oransay

In the first few days after birth, some female newborns bleed from the vaginal route, and this is called newborn uterine bleeding. The overt and occult neonatal uterine bleeding prevalence rates are 3-5% and 25-60% retrospectively. The causative risk factors for…

Key Points Lay Summary

Risk of endometriosis and related occupational factors among working women

Risk of endometriosis and related occupational factors among working women By Eylül GÜN

As a debilitating disease, endometriosis is well known to have effects on the patient's overall quality of life. Various studies have consistently reported that working women face an increased risk of endometriosis growth. Lee et al. from Korea conducted a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Finds Link Between Exposure to Pollutants and Increased Riks of Endometriosis

Study Finds Link Between Exposure to Pollutants and Increased Riks of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine may be associated with a higher risk of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research. The study also found that the concentration of…

Key Points Lay Summary

A non-invasive test to determine the risk of endometriosis in women having chronic pelvic pain or unexplained infertility

A non-invasive test to determine the risk of endometriosis in women having chronic pelvic pain or unexplained infertility By Hale Goksever Celik

Women having endometriosis may suffer from chronic pelvic pain and/or infertility, both of which diminish the quality of life in these women. Minimalization of the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis is essential to improve patients’ lives. However,…

Key Points Lay Summary

Pregnancy and Endometriosis: The Hidden Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy and Endometriosis: The Hidden Risk of Gestational Diabetes By Bahar Yuksel

Getting pregnant with endometriosis may be challenging. Besides, that pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy. According to the recent meta-analysis led by Dr.Vigano, the risk of gestational diabetes increases in endometriosis patients. The study performed database searches on PubMed, Medline, Embase, and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exploring the Potential Impact of Prenatal Testosterone on Endometriosis

Exploring the Potential Impact of Prenatal Testosterone on Endometriosis By Bahar Yuksel

The exact causes of endometriosis still remain uncertain but emerging evidence suggests that prenatal factors may contribute to its development. In the review study by Bernard J Cresp et al, the authors discuss the hormonal environment during prenatal development and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Breastfeeding Seems to Protect Both Mother and Baby From Endo

Breastfeeding Seems to Protect Both Mother and Baby From Endo By Özge Özkaya

Breastfeeding seems to decrease the risk of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Breastfeeding Medicine. Similarly, there seems to be a negative association between ingesting breast milk and the risk of developing endometriosis later in…

Key Points Lay Summary

Scientists Try to Understand Consequences of Genetic Changes in Endometriosis

Scientists Try to Understand Consequences of Genetic Changes in Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The protocol of the "Endometriosis Research Queensland Study" has been published in the scientific journal BMJ Open. The aim of the study is to collect endometrial tissue associated with the disease and chart its genetic architecture. This way, the researchers aim to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Social Support is a Predictor of Resilience in Women with Endometriosis

Social Support is a Predictor of Resilience in Women with Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Satisfying social support and good mental health are key resources for resilience among patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.  “The results of this study may assist in the identification of women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Taller Girls More Likely to Have Recurring Endometriosis

Taller Girls More Likely to Have Recurring Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Adolescents who are taller and have three or more lesions are at a higher risk of endometriosis recurrence following surgery, according to a new study by Chinese researchers published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. They should, therefore, be…

Key Points Lay Summary

The association between severe endometriosis and venous thromboembolism

The association between severe endometriosis and venous thromboembolism By Hale Goksever Celik

For clarifying the issue of whether endometriosis patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism due to both their local immune and inflammatory responses and hormonal treatments, Wiegers et al,  from the Netherlands, published an explorative cohort study entitled “Risk of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Study Identifies Factors Associated With Risk of UrinaryTract Endometriosis Recurrence

Study Identifies Factors Associated With Risk of UrinaryTract Endometriosis Recurrence By Özge Özkaya

Being younger than age 25 and having an autoimmune disease are significant predictors of the recurrence of urinary tract endometriosis after surgery according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Adjuvant hormonal therapy, on the…

Key Points Lay Summary

A search for a marker to show the malignancy risk of endometriomas

A search for a marker to show the malignancy risk of endometriomas By Bahar Yuksel

The premalignant features and precursors that show the malignant potential in endometriomas are not well-known. In the systematic review conducted by Ludovica Bartiromo et al, the markers for malignant transformation have been analyzed and recently published in a recent issue of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Geography May Influence Risk of Endometriosis

Geography May Influence Risk of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The risk of developing endometriosis seems to be geographically heterogeneous across France, according to results from a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study identified  20 high-risk hotspots around the country. These showed similar results for non-adenomyosis endometriosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis.

The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis. By Selma Oransay

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, these patients are generally diagnosed in advanced stage due to their non-symptomatic nature. Therefore, preventative strategies have enormous importance for the management of ovarian cancer.  Dr. Hermens and colleagues…

Key Points Lay Summary

 Which of the suggested environmental risk factors are indeed related to endometriosis?

 Which of the suggested environmental risk factors are indeed related to endometriosis? By Eylül GÜN

Endometriosis is a complex disease with genetic and environmental factors in its poorly understood pathogenesis. Even though many epidemiological studies in the literature have proposed several risk factors, the lack of clear establishment and modification of these potential risk factors…

Key Points Lay Summary

Uterine cancer risk in "endometriosis" and "adenomyosis"

Uterine cancer risk in By Selma Oransay

Adenomyosis and endometriosis share similar characteristics, and endometriosis is reported to have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, the risk of uterine cancer is not clear yet. Hermens and colleagues from Catharina Hospital, from the Netherlands, designed a population-based…

Key Points Lay Summary

Chemical Found in Self-Care Products May Be Linked to Endometriosis

Chemical Found in Self-Care Products May Be Linked to Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

There may be a link between exposure to phthalates and endometriosis according to a new study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. Although more research is needed, these findings could be translated into clinical practice according to…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Could There Be a Link?

Endometriosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Could There Be a Link? By Özge Özkaya

Patients with endometriosis have a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis according to a study published in the journal Rheumatology. This finding suggests that rheumatologists should be especially mindful of the possibility of underlying endometriosis when treating women with rheumatoid arthritis.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors affecting complications and the recurrence of operated deep infiltrating endometriosis

Factors affecting complications and the recurrence of operated deep infiltrating endometriosis By Selma Oransay

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is classified as penetrating the endometrial tissues more than 5 mm deep on the peritoneal surface, mainly uterosacral ligament, rectovaginal septum, ovarian fossa, pelvic peritoneum, bowels, ureters, and bladder. Treatment of the disease depends on the need…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and susceptibility to COVID-19

Endometriosis and susceptibility to COVID-19 By Nasuhi Engin Aydin

Dr. Moazzami and associates from Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Tehran, Iran have published their results on COVID-19 in endometriosis patients in the medical journal named "BMC’s Women’s Health". COVID-19 is still an emerging critical global health problem…

Key Points Lay Summary

Cancer risk Evaluation in Korean Endometriosis Cohort

Cancer risk Evaluation in Korean Endometriosis Cohort By Bahar Yuksel

The relationship between endometriosis and cancer has always been challenging. The previous studies revealed an increased risk in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers regarding the alterations in cancerogenic genes or by the effect of iron and hem coming with retrograde menstruation and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Could Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Increase the Risk of Endometriosis?

Could Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Increase the Risk of Endometriosis? By Özge Özkaya

The use of cosmetics and personal care products may be increasing the risk of endometriosis according to a study by Spanish researchers that was published in the journal "Environmental Research". This finding suggests that restricting the use of these products may…

Key Points Lay Summary

Risk Factors Associated with Ureteral Endometriosis

Risk Factors Associated with Ureteral Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Patients with severe endometriosis, uterosacral ligament deep involvement with endometriosis lesions of  3 cm in diameter or more, and the presence of previous endometriosis surgery have a significantly higher risk of having ureteral endometriosis. This is according to a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Transvaginal sonography for predicting the distance between rectosigmoid endometriosis and the anal verge

Transvaginal sonography for predicting the distance between rectosigmoid endometriosis and the anal verge By Timur Seckin

For optimal surgery, pre-surgical assessment of the distance between rectosigmoid deep endometriosis lesions and the anal verge (Lesion to Anal Verge Distance-LAVD) is recommended by many specialists. A group of researchers from Norway, Austria, and Australia studied the accuracy of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Early Life Factors for Endometriosis

Early Life Factors for Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women. Despite the significant impact, the etiology of endometriosis is still unclear. A recent systematic review of 15 studies of adolescents found that overall 65% of girls undergoing laparoscopic investigation were diagnosed with endometriosis.…

Key Points Lay Summary

Impact of Genetic Variations in Endometriosis

Impact of Genetic Variations in Endometriosis By Dr. Youngran Park

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder. This disease affects approximately 7% to 10% of reproductive-aged women and causes negative impacts on society. The underlying causes are unclear; therefore, the understanding of this disease remains a major clinical challenge. Endometriosis has a…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis Severity and Complication Risks Following Laparoscopic Surgery

Endometriosis Severity and Complication Risks Following Laparoscopic Surgery By Özge Özkaya

In a research article published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts suggested that the severity of endometriosis could not be a predictor of the risk of post-operative complications. In…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease By Selma Oransay

Endometriosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease show the same pathologic mechanism in terms of endothelial dysfunction. Tan et al. from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada reviewed the literature aiming to determine whether women…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does the Severity of Endometriosis Increase the Risk of Complications Following Surgery?

Does the Severity of Endometriosis Increase the Risk of Complications Following Surgery? By Özge Özkaya

The severity of endometriosis cannot predict the risk of complications after laparoscopy. Instead, the complexity of the surgical procedure itself may increase the risk of complications. This is according to a study published in the journal "Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica".…

Key Points Lay Summary

Factors affecting risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy

Factors affecting risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy By Özge Özkaya

Getting married when older, having had ovarian endometriosis for longer, giving birth in a shorter time, and other complications in the uterus that are benign may all increase the risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy. This is according to a study…

Key Points Lay Summary

Yogurt and ice cream consumption during adolescence may reduce endometriosis

 Yogurt and ice cream consumption during adolescence may reduce endometriosis By Yu Yu

Dietary factors may affect the development and severity of endometriosis because of estrogen, prostaglandin metabolism, inflammation, or smooth muscle contractility. Studies investigating the relationship between diet and endometriosis have focused on women’s dietary intake during adulthood. For example, the higher…

Key Points Lay Summary

Baby Years and the Risk of Endometriosis

Baby Years and the Risk of Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

Early-life factors such as whether a baby was breastfed, have had vaginal bleeding at birth, or whether or not their father was a smoker may be associated with her risk of developing endometriosis in later life.  This is according to…

Key Points Lay Summary

ENDORECT scoring system to identify patients at risk for rectosigmoid endometriosis

ENDORECT scoring system to identify patients at risk for rectosigmoid endometriosis By Murat Osman

Patients who suffer from endometriosis may benefit from a preoperative score that predicts rectosigmoid involvement. A recent paper published by Huchon et al. at Poissy Saint-Germain en Laye, France, recruited 119 women who underwent laparoscopy for endometriosis between 2011 and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Another Genetic Polymorphism That May Increase Risk of Endo

Another Genetic Polymorphism That May Increase Risk of Endo By Özge Özkaya

A single letter change in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene may significantly increase the risk of endometriosis.  This is according to a study conducted among women in Southwest China and published in the journal Medicine. Identifying genetic risk…

Key Points Lay Summary

Breast cancer incidence in women with endometriosis

Breast cancer incidence in women with endometriosis By Yu Yu

The relationship between endometriosis and breast cancer remains unclear. Some studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer among women with endometriosis, while others suggested no change in the risk of breast cancer. Previously, the authors have found that…

Key Points Lay Summary

Extra-ovarian malignancies risk among women with endometriosis

Extra-ovarian malignancies risk among women with endometriosis By Yu Yu

For some time, an association between endometriosis and subsequent cancer risk have been reported. In particular, scientific evidence has shown that endometriosis is linked with risk of certain ovarian cancer subtypes known as clear cell and endometrioid. Since endometriosis is…

Key Points Lay Summary

Does the presence of endometriosis increase the risk of gynecologic malignancies?

Does the presence of endometriosis increase the risk of gynecologic malignancies? By Serdar Balci

Endometriosis shares common risk factors with endometrial carcinoma and ovarian carcinomas such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperestrogenism, and reproductive characteristics. Endometriosis is also known to be a risk factor for gynecologic malignant tumors. In this study, Li et.al. have…

Key Points Lay Summary

Further Results From the FEELING Study Published

Further Results From the FEELING Study Published By Özge Özkaya

Some women are more likely to develop deep infiltrating endometriosis according to the further analysis of the results of the FEELING study. These are women who: are married, are older,  have siblings,  have had a prior pregnancy,  or for whom…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis in adolescents

Endometriosis in adolescents By Irem Onur

Dr. Mama S. T. from Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey, USA, recently has published his review on advances in the management of endometriosis in the adolescent in the journal “Current Opinion Obstetrics and Gynecology”. In adolescence, there is a…

Key Points Lay Summary

The comparison of Chinese women in terms of risk factors, genetics and treatment of endometriosis

The comparison of Chinese women in terms of risk factors, genetics and treatment of endometriosis By Hale Goksever Celik

Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial implants outside of the uterine cavity. There is a wide spectrum of symptoms of this disease including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, extragenital symptoms. The pathogenesis of endometriosis appears to be multifactorial, including ectopic endometrial…

Key Points Lay Summary

Managing of endometriosis and associated ovarian cancer risk

Managing of endometriosis and associated ovarian cancer risk By Yu Yu

According to a number of studies, endometriosis is associated with moderate increase in ovarian cancer risk. This risk is elevated in subjects with a long-standing history of untreated ovarian endometriosis. Endometriosis is particularly associated with risk for certain histological subtypes…

Key Points Lay Summary

Recurrence of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Recurrence of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis By Yu Yu

There are mainly three types of endometriotic lesions. These are ovarian endometriosis, superficial peritoneal endometriosis, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The latter is often described as a lesion with greater than 5 mm invasion of the peritoneal surface. DIE lesions…

Key Points Lay Summary

The Past, Present, and Future of Diagnosing Endometriosis

The Past, Present, and Future of Diagnosing Endometriosis By Kasthuri Nair

This review titled “Endometriosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Clinical Management” published in Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports examines the distribution and factors associated with endometriosis. The analysis by Parasar, Ozcan, and Terry also delineates potential biomarkers and risk factors that could…

Key Points Lay Summary

EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Breast Cancer in Young Women; Early Diagnosis Timely Intervention" Presentation by Dr. Stephanie Bernik

EFA Medical Conference 2017: By Kasthuri Nair

Dr. Stephanie Bernik is the Chief of Surgical Oncology of Surgery and General Surgery at the Lenox Hill Hospital. She recently presented at the EFA 2017 Medical Conference, and her presentation was titled “Breast Cancer in Young Women; Early Diagnosis…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there a risk of developing breast cancer for women with endometriosis?

Is there a risk of developing breast cancer for women with endometriosis? By Murat Osman

Understanding the interplay between the development of breast cancer and the presence of endometriosis and vice versa is complex since many risk factors including hormone or genetic variations and medical treatments have a role in each disease process. Thus, parsing…

Key Points Lay Summary

Association between blood inflammatory markers and the risk of endometriosis

Association between blood inflammatory markers and the risk of endometriosis By Yu Yu

Previous studies have suggested that aberrant immunologic and inflammatory responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid collected from endometriosis contains elevated immune cells that may enhance the survival of endometriosis by secreting growth factors and…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis linked with increased risk of cancer and frequency of future surgical procedures

Endometriosis linked with increased risk of cancer and frequency of future surgical procedures By Vishaan Nursey

The purpose of this data research was to determine how women with endometriosis might be predisposed to other medical conditions later on in their lives. In order to determine if endometriosis affected health outcomes, a group of Scottish researchers collected…

Key Points Lay Summary

Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer?

Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer? By Yu Yu

Inflammation may be important in ovarian carcinogenesis. Epidemiological studies show that inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, while regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has reduced associated…

Key Points Lay Summary

Exposure to organic pollutants and endometriosis

Exposure to organic pollutants and endometriosis By Yu Yu

There is increasing evidence suggesting the associations between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and gynecological diseases over the last decade. In rodent and primate experimental models, consistent associations have been previously found between exposure to dioxins and the onset of…

Key Points Lay Summary

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk By Yu Yu

Ovarian cancer prevalence in women with endometriosis is higher than the general population. It is often hypothesized that endometriosis-associated malignancies can occur from ovarian endometrioma. This systematic review by Taniguchi highlighted new insights on the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…

Key Points Lay Summary

Asian Women at Higher Risk of Endometriosis and Less Likely to Conceive with IVF but not Because of their Endometriosis

Asian Women at Higher Risk of Endometriosis and Less Likely to Conceive with IVF but not Because of their Endometriosis By Özge Özkaya

The rate of endometriosis is higher amongst women of Asian origin confirms a study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. In addition, pregnancy rates following fertility treatments are lower in this group of women. However, this does…

Lay Summary

Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer

Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer By Özge Özkaya

Variations in a gene called HNF1B could be linked to the risk of endometriosis, according to a study published in the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology. Previous studies had identified the same genetic variation as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.…

Lay Summary